special tool is only needed if you want to dismantle and rebuild the diff internals. its to lock one set of gears while you undo the bolts on the other, if I remember correctly. Don't mention it to a purist, but you can get by with three sets of hands and a couple of big screwdrivers.

If, while you're under there, you also want to split the prop shaft, you'll need two large, plumber sized spanners for the connecting nuts.

good luck

no idea about pennies in the drive shaft, sorry

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1987 300e manual 250,000 km (sold)